The time to go home came all too soon. But as it was near the middle of summer, it was not dark even now at ten o'clock in the evening. "Gud nag, gud nag," cried every one, after they had drunk again to the health of the baby and his proud parents, and the hands of all had been heartily shaken once more. CHAPTER IV. THE LOST PIN "MARI, Ole, come here to me at once," called their mother. It was the morning after the christening. The two children were sitting with their pet magpie under a tree near the house. "What can be the matter, mother speaks so quickly?" whispered Ole, as he and his sister hurried to obey. "Have you seen the silver brooch I wore at my throat yesterday?" said their mother, as soon as they came into the house. The good woman seemed nervous. Her words came quickly, which was not a common thing, for she was a slow speaker, like other Norse people. "Why, no, mother, of course not," said Mari. "Didn't you put it away in the box where you always keep it?" "Certainly, my child, but I did not lock the box as usual. I found it open just now. Can it be possible that a thief has been here? It does not seem probable. Besides, my other ornaments are there safe. A thief would have taken all." "I shouldn't wonder if I could guess who took the brooch, mother," said Ole. "It's the magpie. You know you said magpies like all kinds of shining objects." "You handsome little mischief, have you done it?" said the boy, as he looked at his pet. The magpie had kept his seat on Ole's shoulder when the children came into the house. He looked from him to the boy's mother with bright eyes, as much as to say, "I could tell all about it, if I wished." "It seems as though the bird understands what we are talking about, but of course he doesn't. Still, I believe he has done something with your brooch, mother," said Mari. "It may be so, indeed, children. The box was possibly left open, although I am generally so careful. If that is so, Ole and Mari, you must find it. Unless you are able to do so, you cannot keep your pet any longer." You may be sure the children were anxious to find the brooch now. All that day they searched in every nook and corner of the house and yard. "You know, we let him fly around for a long time this morning," said Ole, when night came and still the brooch could not be found. "If it was carried up into some tree, we may never see it again." Ole had crawled out upon the limbs of all the trees near the house, and his legs were pretty tired. "You can't do any more to-night, children," said the farmer, when supper was over and the family were gathered on the porch to talk over the trouble. "Go to bed, and do not fret. In the morning, let the magpie out of the cage, and allow him to go where he pleases. Watch him, and perhaps you will find he has some hiding-place where he stores his treasures."